| Abstract |
The project is aimed to the enhancement of numerical simulation tools for the Additive Manufacturing process,
focusing on analysis of temperature evolution and solidification behaviour of material during the Metal Deposition
process.
A novel approach to the thermal FEM simulation of Metal Deposition processes is proposed, with the implementation
of an innovative solidification model in COMET (a Finite Element (FE)-based framework for the solution of
engineering problems). The proposed solidification model directly describes the evolution of solid fraction in function
of time and depend from some empirical parameter. Examples of simplified AM processes will be studied in order to
calibrate the model and evaluate advantages in terms of CPU costs and accuracy. Dedicated semi-empirical models
for evaluation of local microstructures in function of temperature history of metal during the AM process will be also
developed, implemented and experimentally calibrated. Mechanical properties will be evaluated by means of direct
empirical correlation with local microstructures. Finally, real cases of complete AM processes will be studied in order
to validate the overall AM simulation tool.
The final objective is to develop an innovative, useful and quick simulation tool for the optimization of the AM
process.
End users such as software houses and mechanical industries are strongly interested the enhancing of simulation
accuracy and CPU time. The impact of process optimization in terms of time, cost and product quality leads to clear
benefits not only for end-users but also for society in general. |
